'We simply want justice': Turkish opposition stops all spending for a day over Istanbul mayor arrest

Record ID: 1987710

  • Title: 'We simply want justice': Turkish opposition stops all spending for a day over Istanbul mayor arrest
  • Date: 2nd April 2025
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (APRIL 2, 2025) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PASSING BY VARIOUS OF EMPTY TABLES AT RESTAURANT VARIOUS OF STAFF CLEANING / POSTER ON WINDOW READING (Turkish): "OUR DOORS HAVE BEEN OPEN TO YOU FOR 45 YEARS, BUT OUR CASH REGISTERS WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2." VARIOUS OF SHOP OWNER FIKRET OZDEMIR PUTTING HERBS INTO FRIDGE (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) SMALL SHO
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: ARREST BOYCOTT IMAMOGLU TURKEY
  • Location: ANKARA, TURKEY
  • City: ANKARA, TURKEY
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: Europe,Middle East,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001361102042025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:In the Turkish capital Ankara, tables at usually busy cafés were empty and several shops reported a significant drop in customers on Wednesday (April 2) after the main opposition called for a boycott in protest of the arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
    After Imamoglu was detained two weeks ago, the Republican People's Party (CHP) called for a boycott of goods and services from companies with perceived ties to President Tayyip Erdogan's government.
    That call widened to include a halt to all shopping for one day, prompting some shops to close in solidarity with those criticising the arrest as an anti-democratic attempt to hurt the opposition's electoral prospects.
    "Everything is getting worse in terms of economy, society and law. So is (the boycott) treason now? Those who brought the country to this state are the traitors in my eyes," said shop owner Fikret Ozdemir as he stacked vegetables in his empty business.
    The Turkish government denounced opposition calls for the mass commercial boycott, describing them as an economic "sabotage attempt."
    Fifty-six-year-old pensioner Murat Bolat said Turkey had united in action but it would not be good for thousands of workers if the boycott calls spread.
    "The government really needs to pull itself together," he added.
    The calls to boycott have been led by CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel, who has encouraged the street protests that have swollen to the largest in Turkey in more than a decade. Erdogan has called the protests "evil" and said they would not last.
    Imamoglu is Erdogan's main political rival and the CHP's presidential candidate for any future election.
    (Production: Mert Ozkan, Ali Kucukgocmen)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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